Arsenal have suprised everyone this season and find themselves within touching distance of the Barclays Premier League summit. The January transfer window opens today and, for Arsene Wenger, there is a dilemma to consider. Should he venture into the market and attempt to find a useful player for a reasonable sum, or should he be happy with his current quota?

One deciding factor could be injuries. Arsenal are missing some key names at present and Wenger must decide whether cover is needed at present whilst he waits for some key players to recuperate. Given that Arsenal always seem to have in excess of five players on the treatment table at any one time, buying would seem the most plausible option.

Wenger spoke after the Aston Villa game about the possibility of buying a midfielder, but does he really need to? Alex Song is only away for one month at the African cup of Nations and Aaron Ramsey has shown his quality. What Ramsey needs to do now is show he can perform in that manner on a regular basis, starting against West Ham in the FA Cup on Sunday. With regards to Song, Craig Eastmond and Francis Coquelin are two possible options for short-term cover, whilst Jay Emmanuel-Thomas’ versatility may be put to good use at some point during the month.

Once Philippe Senderos’ departure is confirmed and with Johan Djourou still making a recovery from a long-term injury, centre-back appears to be one position where an acquisition may be needed. William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen have forged a strong partnership this season, but beyond Mikael Silvestre there is very limited cover, unless Kyle Bartley is given his chance at Premier League level. Up front, Andrey Arshavin is sacrificing his natural tendencies somewhat by playing through the middle at present. Perhaps Eduardo will swap positions with him once he gains some confidence and regular goalscoring form. With Nicklas Bendtner suffering a setback and the possibility that Robin van Persie might not play again this season, centre-forward is another possible area for recruitment. Sanchez Watt and Gilles Sunu, however, will have something to say about that and will be eager to impose themselves should they be given the opportunity.

Whatever happens this month, Wenger’s ultimate decision is bound to be an interesting one.

Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury has a double cause for celebration this New Year’s Eve having secured his long-term future at the club and extended his loan deal with Championship side Watford until the end of the season.

Having progressed through the ranks at the Hale End academy having joined the club from Norwich at the age of nine, Henri was often played above his age group at youth level and was highly rated upon breaking into the Reserve squad. His rapid progression saw him named amongst the substitutes for the enthralling 6-3 victory over Liverpool in the Carling Cup at Anfield in 2007. Had he came on that night he would have been the youngest player ever to represent the club in a competitive fixture. Henri got his big break the following season, coming on against Sheffield United at Brammall Lane before taking to the field against the same opposition the following season. After Arsenal were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Burnley, he joined Scunthorpe United on loan and helped them to reach the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy before returning to Arsenal to win the FA Youth Cup at the fourth attempt.

This season has seen him impress on loan at Watford, scoring twice in twenty appearances and, with his future at Arsenal secured, he will surely be brimming with confidence going into 2010. The midfielder has represented England at various youth levels and recently made his debut for Stuart Pearce’s Under-21s. A player with good technical ability and a wide passing range, he will be looking to break into the first-team squad when he returns to Emirates Stadium next season.

Craig Eastmond has been named amongst the substitutes for tonight’s Premier League encounter with Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Eastmond, who has made two first team appearances in the Carling Cup this season, earns his first call up for a league fixture.

Aaron Ramsey comes in for the injured Denilson in the only change to the starting line-up, whilst Tomas Rosicky returns from injury and is on the bench. Theo Walcott is not in the squad, with Jack Wilshere and Fran Merida returning to the 18.

Almunia

Sagna-Gallas-Vermaelen-Traoré

Song

Ramsey-Diaby

Nasri-Arshavin-Eduardo

subs: Fabianski, Rosicky, Vela, Silvestre, Wilshere, Merida, Eastmond.

Championship side Watford will seek to extend the loan of England u-21 international Henri Lansbury this week. Lansbury, who has won many admirers at Vicarage Road since joining on a temporary basis from Arsenal, sees his current deal with the Hornets expire on New Year’s Eve. However, speaking after yesterday’s enthralling 2-2 draw with Bristol City, Watford manager Malky Mackay stated his desire to keep the youngster until the end of the season.

Lansbury was stretchered off after suffering a serious-looking ankle injury against City yesterday following a tackle which saw Lewin Nyatanga dismissed for a second b0okable offence. Mackay was uncertain with regard to the severity of the injury, but stated:

We’ll have to see the scan results but we definitely want to extend Henri’s loan. He’s young and keen to learn like a lot of our youngsters.

Elsewhere on the loanees front, Jay Simpson played the whole game as QPR suffered a demoralising 3-0 defeat to Roy Keane’s Ipswich at Portman Road. Simpson came close with a header and also scuffed a shot wide. Gavin Hoyte continued at right-back in Brighton’s tumultuous 5-2 win over Wycombe, whilst Rhys Murphy went off at half-time after starting for Brentford in their 1-1 draw with Charlton. His replacement, Carl Cort, made an immediate impact by scoring the Bees only goal of the game before Nicky Bailey restored parity. Wojciech Szczesny again missed out through injury.

The introduction of Cesc Fabregas against Aston Villa yesterday swung the game in Arsenal´s favour, despite the influential Spaniard only being on the field for 28 minutes.

Two sublime goals added to a third from the improving Abou Diaby ensured a precious three points for Arsenal in their title challenge. However, it came at a cost with both Fabregas and Denilson picking up knocks which could see them miss Wednesday´s trip to Portsmouth and possibly longer.

With Alex Song set to travel to the African Cup of Nations shortly, options are considerably low in midfield. One possible option could be for Aaron Ramsey to start against Pompey, the side who he scored his first Premier League goal against back in September.

Ramsey replaced Fabregas yesterday and struggled to settle into the game but his improvement has been notable this season. He has resembled Fabregas at times when playing for Wales and, if he can cope with the physical nature of the Premier League, something he should be used to having played rugby when he was younger, then this could be a big period in the Welshman´s season.

Wenger hinted at buying a midfielder after yesterday´s game and it is obvious why he feels his side are short in that area when shorn of three important individuals. Ramsey, however, who can operate either in the holding role or Fabregas´position, will be determined to prove otherwise.

As part of the continuing process of developing young players, the decision that faces Academy chief Liam Brady at this time of year is who of the current first-year scholars should be awarded professional contracts.

Two of the 2009 intake, foreign signings Oguzhan Ozyakup and Ignasi Miquel, have already progressed to professional terms, leaving eight remaining first-years.

Of those, highly-rated striker Benik Afobe, who turns 17 on February 12th, is likely to be the first to turn pro. Afobe, who has represented England at u-17 level is already into double figures for the campaign and is likely to become a prominent player in Neil Banfield´s reserve side over the next 18 months.

Chuks Aneke is another who looks odds on to progress to professional terms, though he is not eligible until July. Aneke has impressed in the Premier Academy League and FA Youth Cup so far this campaign and also shone on his reserve debut against Fulham.

Sead Hajrovic and Sean McDermott, who both completed their moves to the club last summer, will also turn pro at the end of next season, leaving four remainign scholars-Daniel Boateng, George Brislen-Hall, Jernade Meade and Nico Yennaris.

Boateng, Meade and Brislen-Hall have all already turned 17 and will probably have to wait until the summer of 2010 to discover whether they will be offered extended deals, whilst Yennaris has stood out in a holding midfield role for Steve Bould´s side this term.

The process of offering existing scholars pro contracts is a neccessary one as Brady looks to incorporate a new batch of scholars next summer. Several players are eligible, as documented last week, although to date only Jamie Edge is confirmed.

Jay Simpson scored QPR´s opening goal as they beat Bristol City 2-1 in the Championship. Simpson opened the scoring on 34 minutes after latching onto Fitz Hall´s cross. Mikele Leigertwood doubled the lead before the interval and, although Nicky Maynard pulled one back in the second period for City, it was QPR who emerged with all three points. Simpson was withdrawn with seven minutes remaining.

Henri Lansbury played the whole game as Watford drew 0-0 with Notingham Forest and had a claim for a penalty turned down after his shot struck Nicky Shorey´s arm on the goal line.

Rhys Murphy came on in the 91´st minute of stoppage time as Brentford beat Gillingham thanks to a Ben Strevens strike. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny didn´t feature despite extending his loan spell at Griffin Park this week.

Gavin Hoyte played the entirety of Brighton´s goalless draw with Leyton Orient, whilst foreign loanees Havard Nordtveit and Pedro Botelho did not have fixtures today.

Merry Christmas to all readers…

To celebrate, here is a quiz relating to Arsenal´s exploits at Reserve and youth level in 2009, with a couple of other Arsenal youth related questions thrown in as well:

1) Who did Samir Carruthers make his only Premier Academy League appearance for Arsenal against?

2) What school year was Jeffrey Monakana in when he made his debut for Arsenal under-18s?

3) To date, how many 2009 scholars have progressed to professional terms?

4) Who was the Arsenal Youth player of the month for August 2009?

5) Who is the only schoolboy currently training full time at London Colney?

6) Who is the u-18´s kit manager?

7) What injury did Jeffrey Monakana suffer against Norwich u-18s?

Who are the first team that the u-18s and reserves face in 2010?

9) What is Jack Wilshere´s middle name?

10) Who did James Dunn make his Arsenal u’18s debut against?

Answers should be e-mailed to jlrbird@googlemail.com and marked ´Competition´. Entries must be recieved by January 1st, 2010 and there will the prize for a winner, who will be selected at random.

Arsenal under 18´s fighting spirit was one of the key factors behind their FA Youth Cup success last season and it could prove to be just as important this time around.

Those expectign a straightforward victory over Crewe in the third round were left somewhat suprised, with the Gunners twice coming from behind before eventually drawing 3-3 and prevailing via a penalty shoot out.

They may not possess as much experience or knowledge of eachother´s games as last season´s outfit did, but their gritiness and determination should be applauded. In a team possessing some excellent technical players, there are also important roles to be played for Emmanuel Frimpong and, perhaps more prominently, Chuks Aneke, who scored a vital header against Crewe and is tipped for big things in the future.

Ipswich Town are next up at Underhill in the Fourth Round and that could prove a tricky test for Bould´s boys, who lost 3-2 away to Town earlier this season in the Premier Academy League in a game that has proven to be the nadir of the first half of the campaign.

However, he has a decision to make as to whether Oguzhan Ozyakup will start, with the Dutchman unable to break into the side at present with Conor Henderson and the aforementioned Aneke seemingly inoustable at this moment in time.

Arsenal may find it difficult to win the FA Youth Cup this season, but one thing is for certain, they will give it their all and fight to the bitter end.

Burnley manager Owen Coyle has admitted that he is interested in signing Jack Wilshere on loan next month but stated that any prospective deal is still in its infancy.

Speaking to SkySports, Coyle said:

“I am loath to speak about other teams’ players but I think it is fair to say that Arsene Wenger knows the regard I have for the player,”

“Arsenal have been blighted by injuries so there are things they may have to look at.

“I would also suggest there is more than Burnley that will be admirers of Jack Wilshere.

“He is a gifted individual who will continue to get better and I believe he will become an Arsenal regular and a full England international.”

Given that the Clarets have a penchant for playing attacking, free-flowing football like the Gunners and also regularly turn out in a 4-3-3 formation, the deal would certainly be a beneficial one for Wilshere should he recieve sufficient game time.

The prospect of Wilshere and Chris Eagles, the former Manchester United player, in the same team is somewhat mouthwatering and would cause a lot of problems for defences.

Wilshere has previously admitted that he would be open to going out on loan to a Premier League side if he plays regularly. That may soon be about to come to fruition.